Stars come out to play at Y! magazine launch! … The Future Awards also launches Y! TV, Y! Radio and others.

It was an evening of high taste and fine company as RedSTRAT, the content and communication company behind The Future Awards, unveiled an exciting new range of brands for young professionals called Y!
The event, which held at Rehab in Victoria Island Lagos on Sunday, August 15, was anchored by Beat FM’s Oreka and award winning actor, OC Ukeje.

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“Y! Magazine will – using the best young Nigerian writers, interviewers photographers, stylists and others - document the lifestyle, issues, trend and personalities that define the character and aspiration of the young Nigerian,” the editor, Chude Jideonwo, a Nigeria Media Merit Award winner who has been Copy Editor with NEXT Newspapers, said.

The magazine features a groundbreaking cover shoot with actress and singer Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde. Titled ‘Omotola is angry!’ the shoot is anchored by the revered photographer Kelechi Amadi-Obi and stylist Dimeji Alara. Other writers for Y! include Adaobi Nwaubani, Tolu Ogunlesi, Wana Udobang, and Onyeka Nwelue.
“Our reader is accomplished, stylish and informed, and is many things at the same time,” Jideonwo said. “He/she understand the language of business and the importance of style. Our reader is independent minded and self sufficient: the upwardly mobile young Nigerian professional securing his/her place in the rapidly changing global village.”
The event featured performances by Freestyle, Jesse Jagz and Mi with comedy from Seyi Law. Selected celebrities also presented to the audience the kinds of young people Y! targets, with a presentation called I am Y! by actor Gideon Okeke, Tosyn Bucknor and MI. There were also readings from the magazine anchored by CNN Journalist of the Year winner Tolu Ogunlesi and designer Mai Atafo.
The magazine was subsequently unveiled – accompanied by fireworks and the pop of champagne – by award-winning author, journalist and communication professional, Toni Kan, who is also a member of the magazine’s Board of Advisers. Other board members include Adesuwa Onyenokwe, publisher of TW, Storm boss Obi Asika and Reuben Abati.
The surprise of the night however was the unveiling of a range of Y! brands apart from the magazine – RedSTRAT’s other platforms, which include a TV show (on Channels TV), a radio show (syndicated), a newspaper column (in The Guardian) and an event have all been rebranded to align with the exciting new Y! brand.
“Y! is a multi-platform, 360-degrees media experience - TV, radio, newspaper, magazine, online  and event - all targeted at the young professional aged 18 – 35, with an emphasis on the 25 – 35 bracket,” its spokesperson, Kenneth Oliko, said.

Guests included Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Yetunde Babaeko, Julius Agwu, Tee-A, Kaine Agary, Adaure Achumba, Taofeek Okoya, Jasmine Murray-Bruce, designer Bridget Awosika, Lola Maja, Biodun Caston-Dada, Noble Igwe, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Jasmine Murray-Bruce, Toni Payne, former MBGN Ene Maya, Glory Edozien, Tinsel star Gbenro Ajibade, Terry tha Rapman, Zara, Britain's Got Talent's Kayode Oresanya, Wana Udobang, Titi Adelagun, Dimeji Alara, Uche Nnaji, Kunle Snatcha, Tosin Martins, Joseph Benjamin and Adaora Oleh, anchors of MTN Project Fame, amongst others.

The launch event was held in conjunction with Storm 360 and was supported by Nutricima, Rehab, dtalkshop, K2, Yvent Kouture, Digiprints, 12 Baskets, Aphobos Studios, and Nigezie.
Y! Magazine is available, from Thursday, August 19 with vendors and in stores nationwide. More information is on www.ynaija.com.